Arabic News Weekly Edition for Politics, 4/17/2000

Weekly Edition, Politics - Week of April 17, 2000

• Clinton and Arafat meet in US Palestine-USA, Politics, 4/21/2000
• UAE reopens diplomatic mission in Baghdad
  The United Arab Emirates on Thursday opened its diplomatic mission in the Iraqi capital after it had been closed since the Gulf crisis in 1990. Thereby the UAE became the fourth Gulf state to return its diplomats to Iraq. United Arab Emirates-Iraq, Politics, 4/21/2000
• US embassy in Khartoum resumes activities
  The Sudanese news agency said on Thursday that the US embassy in Khartoum has resumed its diplomatic activities with the arrival of a charge d'affairs in Khartoum two years after suspending its works. Sudan-USA, Politics, 4/21/2000
• A message from Amr Moussa to his Tunisian counterpart Egypt-Tunisia, Politics, 4/21/2000
• Mauritanian president meets Moroccan envoy Mauritania-Morocco, Politics, 4/21/2000
• Al-Shara, Moratinos discuss Middle East peace efforts
  Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk al-Shara yesterday received the European Union's special envoy for the Middle East peace process, Miguel Moratinos, and members of the accompanying delegation. Syria-European Union, Politics, 4/21/2000
• Ebeid visits Lebanon in mid May
  Prime Minister Atef Ebeid said on Thursday he is expected to visit Lebanon in mid May to see the celebration to be held for the operation of the power stations, which were badly damaged by Israeli airstrikes, and Egypt contributed to fix. Egypt-Lebanon, Politics, 4/21/2000
• UN chief attends Syria's national day celebration at UN Syria-UN, Politics, 4/21/2000
• Iraq assures readiness for discussions with Washington Iraq-USA, Politics, 4/21/2000
• Joint Egyptian - Pakistani meeting in Islamabad at end of this year Egypt-Pakistan, Politics, 4/21/2000
• Tour by Arab League chief to Kuwait, Bahrain
  Arab League Secretary General Esmat Abdul Meguid announced on Thursday in Cairo that he will start an Arab tour on Sunday which will cover Kuwait and Bahrain and will last for seven days. Regional, Politics, 4/21/2000
• Egypt: Total withdrawal from the Golan is the only base to build just peace
  Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa has called for complete Israeli withdrawal from the Golan to the June 4, 1967 border lines, saying that this is the essence of the Middle East peace process which was built on the ground of international legitimacy resolutions and the land-for-peace formula. Egypt, Politics, 4/21/2000
• Some 1155 Iraqis killed or wounded by US, UK air strikes
  An Iraqi military official has stated that the US and British air strikes against Iraq resulted in killing 295 persons and wounding another 860, while US congress member Tony Hall stressed the need to make a distinction between Iraqi armament and humanitarian issues. Iraq-USA, Politics, 4/21/2000
• Indonesia's foreign minister starts visit to Oman Oman-Indonesia, Politics, 4/21/2000
• Military confrontation expected, Israeli official
  Israel's deputy defense minister, Ephriam Sneh, stated in a lecture he delivered on April 17 on the issue of military confrontation with Syria, he expected to erupt following the withdrawal of the Israeli Army from south Lebanon. Syria-Israel, Politics, 4/21/2000
• Lebanese forces: Richard statements flagrant intervention in Lebanese affairs
  Three days after statements made by French Defense Minister Alain Richard to Radio France-Inter which raised a vast controversy as he talked about the "Syrian hegemony on Lebanon," Lebanese- French relations have witnessed a tension similar to that prevailed when the French Premier Lionel Jospin made statements in Israel against the Lebanese resistance. Lebanon-Syria-France, Politics, 4/21/2000
• Hizbullah resistance acts on increase
  Israeli security sources stated that a notable increase has been seen during the recent week in the activities of the Hizbullah organization in south Lebanon. Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 4/21/2000
• Jordanian forces continue campaign against normalization
  The Jordanian executive committee for protecting the homeland and confrontation of normalization has called on the Jordanian Parliament not to permit an Israeli Knesset delegation to take part in the meetings of the Inter-Parliamentary Union whose works will start in Amman on April 29. Jordan, Politics, 4/21/2000
• Chretien provoked the Saudis
  The Canadian mass media has reported that Prime Minister Jean Chretien, who on Wednesday concluded a tour of the Middle East in Saudi Arabia, raised the regret of the Saudis when he recommended what clothing reporters accompanying him can and cannot wear. Saudi Arabia-Canada, Politics, 4/21/2000
• UN Security Council welcomes Israel's Lebanon withdrawal notice
  In a presidential statement the Security Council welcomed notification from UN Secreatary General Kofi Annan of a letter in which Israel formally expressed its intent "to withdraw its forces present in Lebanon in full accordance with resolutions 425 (1978) and 426 (1978) of 19 March 1978 and its intention to cooperate fully with the United Nations in the implementation of its decision." Lebanon-Israel-UN, Politics, 4/21/2000
• Havana's hostile stand, obstacle to relations-resumption with Rabat
  Resumption of diplomatic relations between Rabat and Havana depends on Cuba's review of its stand on the Sahara issue, said on Thursday government spokesman Khalid Alioua. Morocco, Politics, 4/21/2000
• Government tries preemptive meeting to stop general-strike
  The government has invited the Moroccan three major unions UMT, CDT and UGTM as well as the employers' confederation CGEM to a meeting Friday under the chairmanship of Premier Abderrahmane Youssoufi, said government spokesman and minister of social development, solidarity, employment and vocational training Khalid Alioua. Morocco, Politics, 4/21/2000
• Interview: US views on Iraq Iraq-USA, Politics, 4/21/2000
• The assistant of the Chychnian president: - 'Moscow uses the chemical weapons against the civilians' Egypt, Politics, 4/21/2000
• Civil newspapers allowed to be issued in Iraq for the first time Iraq, Politics, 4/20/2000
• Mubarak, Lahoud hold talks
  President Hosni Mubarak today receives Lebanese President Emile Lahoud, who arrives in Egypt today from Iran at the end of a Gulf tour which took him to Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, UAE, Qatar and Bahrain. Egypt-Lebanon, Politics, 4/20/2000
• Lebanese president in Bahrain Bahrain-Lebanon, Politics, 4/20/2000
• A meeting between Yemeni president and Iranian FM
  Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh stressed during his meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharazi on Tuesday evening in Tehran that, "The enemies try to find an atmosphere of tension and non-confidence among the countries of the region." He called for work through investing all available potentials for regional development and stability. Yemen-Iran, Politics, 4/20/2000
• El-Feki: Changing Arab League charter a necessity for the future
  Egyptian Assistant Foreign Minister for Arab Affairs Mostafa El-Feki, Egypt's permanent delegate at the Arab League, asserted the importance of changing the Arab League charter at the end of the current settlement operation between the Arabs and Israel Egypt-Regional, Politics, 4/20/2000
• Yemeni president arrives in UAE United Arab Emirates-Yemen, Politics, 4/20/2000
• Sudan halts air strikes on civilians in southern Sudan
  Sudanese radio on Wednesday reported that President Omar al-Bashir ordered a total halt to air strikes against civilians in southern Sudan. Sudan, Politics, 4/20/2000
• Mubarak invests US general with Egyptian Order of Merit Egypt-USA, Politics, 4/20/2000
• Yemeni president concludes visit to Tehran with three agreements
  Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh left Tehran on Wednesday morning at the conclusion of a three-day visit to Iran. At the conclusion of the visit, the two sides signed three agreements on joint cooperation in the political, air travel and fisheries cooperation. Yemen-Iran, Politics, 4/20/2000
• Moroccan human rights organization asks for legal guarantees to press freedom
  The Moroccan human rights organization (OMDH) called for reforming the press code and consolidating legal guarantees to the press freedom of speech. Morocco, Politics, 4/20/2000
• King Abdullah talks on the telephone with Gaddafi Jordan-Libya, Politics, 4/20/2000
• Mauritanian president receives UN Representative for the Sahara
  Mauritanian President Mouaouiya Ould Sid Ahmed Taya received in Nouakchott this Thursday William Eagleton, special representative of the UN secretary general for the Sahara. Mauritania-UN, Politics, 4/20/2000
• Al-Shara meets with European peace envoy Syria-European Union, Politics, 4/20/2000
• Egyptian, Sudanese and Libyan FMs to discuss accelerating Sudanese reconciliation
  Sudanese Foreign Minister Mustafa Othman Ismael asserted that he will convene a meeting with Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa and the Sec. of the Libyan People's External Liaison Regional-Sudan, Politics, 4/20/2000
• Saudi defense minister confers with Canadian premier Saudi Arabia-Canada, Politics, 4/20/2000
• Iran declares readiness to negotiate with UAE
  Iran asserted its readiness to negotiate with the United Arab Emirates to settle the conflict between them concerning three Gulf islands, Lesser Tunb, Greater Tunb and Abu Mousa. United Arab Emirates-Iran, Politics, 4/20/2000
• French foreign minister arrives in Amman today Jordan-France, Politics, 4/20/2000
• Yemeni, Iranian presidents for developing relations
  Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh has expressed his satisfaction over his visit to Iran. He said that he has exchanged with the Iranian officials viewpoints over developments and key issues in the region and means of strengthening relations between the two countries. Yemen-Iran, Politics, 4/20/2000
• Somali national reconciliation conference postponed
  An official source in Djibouti said on Wednesday that the Somali reconciliation conference which was supposed to start as of today in Djibouti was postponed until May 2. Somalia-Djibouti, Politics, 4/20/2000
• Gaddafi, Musharraf discuss bilateral relations
  Libyan leader Col. Moammar Gaddafi has discussed bilateral relations and means of strengthening and developing them with the executive ruler of Pakistan, Pervez Musharraf. Libya-Pakistan, Politics, 4/20/2000
• Emir of Qatar gets a message from Indonesian president Qatar-Indonesia, Politics, 4/20/2000
• Establishing an Egyptian organization for technology development Egypt, Politics, 4/20/2000
• Kuwaiti minister concludes visit to Tunis
  Kuwaiti Minister of Finance and Transportation Sheikh Ahmed Abdullah al-Sabah ended a visit to Tunis, during which he headed the Kuwaiti delegation to the meetings of the third session of the joint committee with his Tunisian counterpart, Taoufik Baccar. Tunisia-Kuwait, Politics, 4/20/2000
• Israel releases 13 Lebanese detainees after 14 years of imprisonment
  Following 14 years of administrative detention without trial in the Israeli Eyaloun prison, some 13 Lebanese prisoners released by Israel arrived in the Lebanese town of al-Nabatieh on Wednesday afternoon. Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 4/20/2000
• Report: Golan settlements proposed for SLA militia members Regional-Israel, Politics, 4/20/2000
• Iran, Jordan sign social affairs and health memorandum of understanding
  Iran and Jordan signed a memorandum of joint understanding in the areas of social affairs and health on Wednesday in Tehran. Jordan-Iran, Politics, 4/20/2000
• Moratinos holds talks in Amman
  Jordanian Foreign Minister Abdul Illah al-Khatib on Wednesday in Amman held talks with the delegate of the European Union to the Middle East peace process, Miguel Moratinos. Jordan-European Union, Politics, 4/20/2000
• Palestinian armed struggle to be resumed Lebanon, Politics, 4/20/2000
• Mubarak invites Putin to visit Egypt
  Valdemair Godaiev, Russia's ambassador in Cairo, said that Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa addressed an invitation in the name of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak to Russian President Vladimir Putin to visit Egypt. Egypt-Russia, Politics, 4/20/2000
• Mubarak, Arafat discuss ME peace prior to US visit
  President Mubarak and Palestinian Leader Yasser Arafat on Wednesday morning held at the presidency headquarters an expanded session of talks. Egypt-Palestine, Politics, 4/20/2000
• Romanian senators meet Moroccan officials
  A visiting group of Romanian senators held in Rabat Wednesday talks with Moroccan officials on means of upgrading bilateral cooperation. Morocco-Romania, Politics, 4/20/2000
• Meeting of Egyptian - Libyan initiative committee
  The joint Egyptian- Libyan initiative committee has convened under the chairmanship of Egyptian Assistant Foreign Minister Mostafa El-Feki and Omar Shelbak, the assistant secretary general for the technical cooperation affairs of the general public committee for African unity in Libya on April 15- 19. Egypt-Libya, Politics, 4/20/2000
• Syria celebrates solidarity week with prisoners in Israeli jails
  The committee in solidarity with Syrian prisoners in Israeli jails will hold a solidarity week with prisoners as of next Friday on the occasion of the Syrian Prisoner Day which falls on April 21. Syria, Politics, 4/20/2000
• Palestinian university students in Syria observe sit-in on Palestinian Prisoner Day
  Palestinian students at Damascus University on Wednesday observed a silent sit-in before the UN office in Damascus on the occasion of the Palestinian Prisoner Day. The event was called for by the General Union of Palestine Students and the Defense Committee for the Palestinian Detainees and Prisoners in the Israeli Jails. Syria-Syria, Politics, 4/20/2000
• Baz warns Israel of non-retrieval of Palestinian rights
  President Mubarak's Political Advisor Osama Al-Baz, warned Israel against impeding retrieval of the Palestinian legitimate rights and Palestinians' right to self-determination now that the Palestinians have manifested a will to coexist on a basis of parity. Egypt, Politics, 4/20/2000
• Egypt participates in Nuclear Non-Proliferation Conference
  Egypt will take part in the International Conference on Reviewing the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), to start in New York on Monday. Egypt-International, Politics, 4/20/2000
• Palestinian official visits Morocco
  Farouk Kaddoumi, head of the political department at the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), arrived in Casablanca on Wednesday on an official visit "to inform King Mohammed VI on latest developments in the peace process." Morocco-Palestine, Politics, 4/20/2000
• Hain: Syria is interested to make peace
  The British minister of state at the Foreign Office, Peter Hain, has announced that British diplomats are working behind the scenes to give the Middle East peace process a push forward. He remarked that despite the deadlock on the Syrian track there are hopes of achieving progress. Regional-UK, Politics, 4/20/2000
• Arab administrative development organization meets in cairo
  The Arab Administrative Development Organization held in Cairo Wednesday the 38th session of its general assembly to study ways to activate the role of the organization in promoting public administration in the Arab world. Regional, Politics, 4/20/2000
• Morocco's king appoints new ambassadors
  King Mohammed VI appointed on Wednesday new ambassadors of Morocco to the United Arab Emirates, the United States of America, Iran, Austria, Hungary, Iraq, Yemen, Lebanon, Argentina, Malaysia and Ukraine. Morocco-International, Politics, 4/20/2000
• Canadian premier: Al-Assad has a strong desire for peace
  Syrian President Hafez al-Assad on Tuesday in Damascus received Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien and members of the accompanying delegation. Syria-Canada, Politics, 4/19/2000
• Lebanese president to arrive in Iran today Lebanon-Iran, Politics, 4/19/2000
• Moroccan minister calls for adjusting Youssoufi's government Morocco, Politics, 4/19/2000
• Moussa: Israel informed Cairo of date of withdrawal from south Lebanon
  Egypt was formally informed tonight of the Israeli withdrawal decision to withdraw from south Lebanon during a phone call from UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa said in a press conference held in Cairo. Egypt-UN, Politics, 4/19/2000
• Egypt criticizes Israel's policy in refusing to join NPT
  Egypt's permanent representative at the UN, Ahmad Abu al-Gheith, has criticized the continued Israeli policy in refusing to join the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) for nuclear weapons. He stressed that Israel not joining this treaty constitutes a defiance of the will of the international community to free the world from nuclear weapons. Egypt, Politics, 4/19/2000
• Libyan leader discusses African issues with Gambian president Libya-Gambia, Politics, 4/19/2000
• Iran, Saudi Arabia signed security agreement Saudi Arabia-Iran, Politics, 4/19/2000
• Yemeni president meets with Khatami Yemen-Iran, Politics, 4/19/2000
• King Abdullah renews confidence in al-Rawabdeh government
  King Abdullah II of Jordan has not settled the battle between the government and the parliament in the interest of either of the two sides, on the background of the demand raised by 50 Jordanian parliament members to remove the prime minister, Abdul Raouf al-Rawabdeh, and his team last week, but it seemed that the king left the door open for a government reshuffle in the next three months. Jordan, Politics, 4/19/2000
• UAE president confers with Lebanese counterpart
  United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan al-Nahyan received Lebanese President Emile Lahoud on Tuesday in Abu Dhabi. United Arab Emirates-Lebanon, Politics, 4/19/2000
• Bahraini premier arrives in Jordan Jordan-Bahrain, Politics, 4/19/2000
• Prince Moulay Rachid meets US congressional delegation
  Prince Moulay Rachid, brother of King Mohammed VI, received in Rabat Tuesday a visiting US congressional delegation. Morocco-USA, Politics, 4/19/2000
• Gaddafi and Musharraf discuss cooperation between Libya and Pakistan
  Libyan leader Moammar Gaddafi yesterday received General Pervez Musharraf, head of the executive authority in Pakistan. Libya-Pakistan, Politics, 4/19/2000
• Iraqi minister visits Russia Iraq-Russia, Politics, 4/19/2000
• Lahoud to start visit to Egypt to tomorrow Egypt-Lebanon, Politics, 4/19/2000
• Congressman Tony Hall concludes visit to Baghdad
  US congressman Tony Hall defended the international sanctions imposed on Iraq as he concluded his visit to Iraq, but he said that innocent people are suffering from the measures. Iraq-USA, Politics, 4/19/2000
• France and Tunis wrangle of human rights
  Tunisia and France escalated their mutual campaigns after strongly-worded declarations issued in Paris and Tunis concerning the status of human rights and political liberates in Tunis regarding the French colonial greed and detentions that icnluded some human rights activities in Tunis. Tunisia-France, Politics, 4/19/2000
• Egyptian - Mexican cooperation agreements
  Egypt and Mexican signed the biggest executive program for bilateral cooperation in the fields of culture, education, information, youths and sports. Egypt-Mexico, Politics, 4/19/2000
• Al-Shara makes telephone call to Lebanese premier
  Lebanese Premier and Foreign Minister Salim al-Hoss on Tuesday evening received a telephone call from Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk al-Shara. Lebanon-Syria, Politics, 4/19/2000
• Palestinian official: Jerusalem is a part of the Palestinian lands
  Ahmed Abd El-Rahman, secretary general of the Palestinian Cabinet, asserted that Jerusalem is an integral part of the Palestinian territories that were occupied in 1967 to which UN Security Council resolution 242 applies. Palestine, Politics, 4/19/2000
• On the Syrian -Israeli track
  Well-informed French sources told the Kuwaiti daily al-Qabas in statements issued on Tuesday in Kuwait that the "increasing Israeli sayings about the dangers of confrontation with Syria might be for local consumption, rather than being messages addressed to Damascus." Syria-Israel-France, Politics, 4/19/2000
• Arab League chief confers with Romanian foreign minister
  Arab League Secretary General Esmat Abdul Meguid on Tuesday in Cairo discussed with Romania's deputy premier and foreign minister, Petre Roman, the developments of the Middle East peace process on all tracks. Regional-Romania, Politics, 4/19/2000
• Israel releases 13 Lebanese detainees
  The Lebanese daily al-Nahar said today, quoting a European source, that the Israeli forces at the occupied border strip started collecting all heavy weapons including tanks and heavy artillery from the pro-Israel South Lebanon Army militia, while the commander of the SLA, Lt. Gen. Antoine Lahd, has started preparations to transfer his home to Paris. Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 4/19/2000
• US military official to visit Morocco Morocco-USA, Politics, 4/19/2000
• Morocco deplores at UN Human Rights Commission abuses in Polisario-controlled camps
  Chairman of the Moroccan Human Rights Advisory Council (CCDH), Driss Dahhak, expressed in Geneva Tuesday at the UN Human Rights Commission Morocco's concerns over the situation of persons sequestered in the Polisario camps and over the racist campaigns against Moroccan expatriates in some European countries. Morocco-UN, Politics, 4/19/2000
• Moussa urges protection of intellectual property in Arab states
  Foreign Minister Amr Moussa has pressed for more focus on issues related to intellectual property protection in Arab countries through modernizing national institutions concerned. Egypt, Politics, 4/19/2000
• New ambassador of Switzerland to Morocco Morocco-Switzerland, Politics, 4/19/2000
• Romanian Senate Delegation in Morocco Morocco-Romania, Politics, 4/19/2000
• Mubarak, Zemin agree to bolster transfer of Chinese know-how to Egypt
  President Hosni Mubarak met Chinese President Jiang Zemin Yesterday at Ras el -Tin palace in the Mediterranean port city of Alexandria and discussed Middle East peace and economic cooperation. Egypt-China, Politics, 4/18/2000
• African ministers meet in Algeria
  Works of the 23rd session of the committee of the African ministers of labor and social affairs of the Organization of African Unity started on Monday in Algiers. Regional-Algeria-OAU, Politics, 4/18/2000
• Saudi Arabia discusses signing agreement for security cooperation with Iran Saudi Arabia-Iran, Politics, 4/18/2000
• Canadian premier talks in Damascus
  Syrian Prime Minister Muhammad Mustafa Miro and his Canadian counterpart, Jean Chretien, started their talks on Monday evening in Damascus. Syria-Canada, Politics, 4/18/2000
• Yemeni president arrives in Tehran
  Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh arrived in Tehran on Monday leading a high-ranking delegation on an official visit to Iran which will last for three days. Yemen-Iran, Politics, 4/18/2000
• Koutla parties say Sahara dossier closed and shelved Morocco, Politics, 4/18/2000
• Syrians in the Golan observe evacuation day by staging general strike
  The Syrian citizens in the occupied Syrian Golan Heights on Monday shared celebrations with their people in Syria on the occasion of the 54th anniversary of the Evacuation Day. Syria, Politics, 4/18/2000
• UN human rights committee for Israel's withdrawal from the Golan
  The UN Human Rights Committee, in a draft bill approved by a great majority on Monday, called on Israel to withdraw out of the occupied Syrian Golan Heights and to cancel all decisions Israel had made to annex the Golan. Syria-Israel-UN, Politics, 4/18/2000
• New violations of human rights in Sudan, organization says Sudan, Politics, 4/18/2000
• Romanian - Egyptian discussions today
  Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa is convening today with Romanian Foreign Minister Petre Roman, who arrived in Cairo yesterday for a three-day visit. Egypt-Romania, Politics, 4/18/2000
• Gaddafi confers with African counterpart
  Libyan leader Col. Moammar Gaddafi on Sunday evening discussed bilateral relations as well as several issues of mutual concern with the President of Sao Tome and Principe, Miguel Trovoada, in the Libyan city of Syrte. Libya-Sao Tome and Principe, Politics, 4/18/2000
• Lahoud: peace cannot be achieved by isolating Lebanon and Syria
  Lebanese President Emile Lahoud stressed today that Lebanon has achieved, with the help of the unity of its people, resistance and army as well as Arab support, a definite victory over the Israeli enemy, whereby Lebanon has forced the Israeli leaders to propose dates for withdrawing from Lebanese territories Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 4/18/2000
• Barak declares his refusal to give up East Jerusalem Palestine-Israel, Politics, 4/18/2000
• German diplomatic delegation in Cairo on Thursday
  Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa is to receive on Thursday Michael Steiner, the political advisor of German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, who is to arrive in Cairo on the same day. Egypt-Germany, Politics, 4/18/2000
• Euro-Med follow-up scientific committee begins deliberations
  The European-Mediterranean follow-up committee for scientific and technological research began on Monday its seventh round with the participation of representatives of 15 European and 12 Mediterranean countries. Regional, Politics, 4/18/2000
• Syria celebrates national day
  Marking the Evacuation Day's (independence) 54th anniversary, a large central rally was held in Damascus on Monday under the patronage of Syrian President Hafez al-Assad. Acting on behalf of President al-Assad, the rally was attended by Vice President Muhammad Zuheir Masharqa. Syria, Politics, 4/18/2000
• Iran will shortly release some 2,000 Iraqi prisoners, paper
  An Iraqi paper said on Monday that Iran will shortly release 2,000 of its Iraqi prisoners of war. Iraq-Iran, Politics, 4/18/2000
• Kuwaiti official visits Tehran
  Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharazi met on Monday in Tehran with the special advisor for the Kuwaiti crown prince and prime minister, Sheikh Nasser Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah, in the framework of the Kuwaiti advisor's official visit to Iran. Kuwait-Iran, Politics, 4/18/2000
• US military official on regional visit
  The chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, Army General Henry H. Shelton, is visiting Egypt today, where he is to meet with his counterpart, Lieutenant General Magdy Anwar Hatata, chief of Staff, and Defense Minister Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi. Shelton will meet separately with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak. Regional-USA, Politics, 4/18/2000
• Levy accuses Syria of not being ready for peace
  Israeli Foreign Minister David Levy asserted that Syria is not yet ready for peace, accusing it of wanting Israel to remain in Lebanon for good Syria-Israel, Politics, 4/18/2000
• Tunisian foreign minister visits UAE, Kuwait Tunisia-United Arab Emirates, Politics, 4/18/2000
• Al-Ahmar: The Israelis' visits to Yemen are Yemen, Politics, 4/18/2000
• Mashar expresses his support for Egyptian- Libyan initiative Sudan, Politics, 4/18/2000
• Israel formally notifies Annan of Lebanon withdrawal plans Lebanon-Israel-UN, Politics, 4/18/2000
• Kuwait voices backing for Lebanon Kuwait-Lebanon, Politics, 4/18/2000
• King Abdullah postpones visit to Gaza Jordan-Palestine, Politics, 4/18/2000
• Canadian prime minister to visit Saudi Arabia today Saudi Arabia-Canada, Politics, 4/18/2000
• Greece, Israel for developing regional cooperation Israel-Greece, Politics, 4/18/2000
• Indonesia's foreign minister arrives in Kuwait Kuwait-Indonesia, Politics, 4/18/2000
• King Abdullah to visit Israel on April 23 Jordan-Israel, Politics, 4/18/2000
• Mubarak, Abdullah tackle ME peace process
  President Hosni Mubarak discussed Middle East peace process with King Abdullah II of Jordan who made a brief visit to Egypt yesterday. Egypt-Jordan, Politics, 4/17/2000
• Mubarak, Zemin meet; Egypt- China relations, strategic
  Egyptian Ambassador to China Noaaman Galal said the visit to Egypt by Chinese Leader Jiang Zemin would cover dimensions of the Egyptian-Chinese relations and China's attitude towards the Middle East peace process. Egypt-China, Politics, 4/17/2000
• Arafat denies that Barak proposed to recognize a Palestinian state
  Palestinian President Yasser Arafat on Saturday denied the reports broadcast by Israeli television that Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak had proposed the recognition of a Palestinian state on 65% of the territories of the West Bank. Palestine-China, Politics, 4/17/2000
• Bashar al-Assad talks about Middle East peace Syria, Politics, 4/17/2000
• Yemeni president visits Iran today Yemen-Iran, Politics, 4/17/2000
• Mubarak, Musharraf discuss bilateral relations
  In the context of the intensive political and diplomatic activity witnessed by Egypt this week, President Mubarak received General Pervez Musharraf, Chief of Executive Authority in Pakistan, who arrived in Cairo on a three- day official visit. Egypt-Pakistan, Politics, 4/17/2000
• Canada's prime minister arrives in Damascus today Syria-Canada, Politics, 4/17/2000
• Pakistani, Arab League chief meet
  Arab League Secretary General Esmat Abdul Meguid met today at Arab League headquarters with Pervez Musharraf, head of the executive authority in Pakistan, who expressed his appreciation for the Arab League and the Arab states' understanding of the positions of Pakistan. Regional-Pakistan, Politics, 4/17/2000
• Egypt, Pakistan to resume joint committee
  Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa asserted Egypt's readiness to mediate between India and Pakistan if the two parties ask, referring to the existing direct communications between Islamabad and New Delhi. Egypt-Pakistan, Politics, 4/17/2000
• Oman refuses to host the multilateral Oman-Regional, Politics, 4/17/2000
• Mubarak, Arab League chief meet with Oman's foreign minister
  Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak on Sunday in Cairo received Omani Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Yousef Bin Alawi, who handed him a message from Sultan Qaboos Bin Said of Oman pertaining to bilateral relations, the Middle East peace process and efforts to give them a push forward on all tracks. Egypt-Oman, Politics, 4/17/2000
• Le Monde and the failure of Geneva summit
  The French paper said that the new Syrian minister of information, Adnan Omran, says that should the US have proposed special offers instead of repeating the Israeli demands in Geneva it would have played a more useful role and that Barak's proposals are the worst among his previous proposals Syria-Israel-USA, Politics, 4/17/2000
• Lebanese president arrives in Kuwait from Saudi Arabia
  Lebanese President Emile Lahoud arrived in Kuwait on Sunday coming from Saudi Arabia for an official visit which will last for two days. Lebanon-Kuwait, Politics, 4/17/2000
• Emir of Qatar confers with speaker of the Yemeni Parliament Qatar-Yemen, Politics, 4/17/2000
• Moroccan woman re-elected to UN human rights subcommission
  Moroccan expert, Mrs. Halima Embarek Warzazi, was reelected as expert-member of the UN human rights under-commission for struggle against discriminatory measures and for minorities protection. Morocco-UN, Politics, 4/17/2000
• Report: Israeli embassy in Amman cannot book hall for annual celebration of Israel's foundation Jordan-Israel, Politics, 4/17/2000
• Jordanian king visit Gaza
  Jordan's King Abdullah II today visits the Palestinian self-rule areas, during which he will meet with Palestinian President Yasser Arafat in Gaza. Palestine-Jordan, Politics, 4/17/2000
• Omani Foreign Minister supports Arafat; discuss Iran issues
  Omani Foreign Minister Yusef Bin Alawi denied following his meeting today with Palestinian President Yasser Arafat in Gaza in the first visit by a high-ranking Omani official to the self-rule areas reports about Oman signing a joint defense agreement with Iran. Oman-Iran, Politics, 4/17/2000
• Morocco earmarks $4 million to compensate arbitrary detention victims
  The Moroccan government has disbursed a provisional budget of $4 million (40 million dirhams) to compensate victims of arbitrary detention, Driss Dahhak, chairman of the Moroccan human rights advisory council (CCDH) announced over the weekend. Morocco, Politics, 4/17/2000
• Morocco's king meets UN high commissioner for human rights
  King Mohammed VI, who was accompanied by Prince Moulay Rachid, received in Rabat Saturday the U.N. high commissioner for human rights, Mary Robinson. Morocco-UN, Politics, 4/17/2000
• Tunisian Human Rights League pleads for journalist
  The Tunisian Human Rights League has appealed to the government to lift restrictions imposed on a local journalist, Taoufik Ben Brik, who has been on a hunger strike since April 3, the pan-African news agency PANA reported. Tunisia, Politics, 4/17/2000
• Human rights center dedicated in Rabat
  A center for human rights documentation, information and training was dedicated in Rabat Saturday in the presence of the U.N high commissioner for human rights, Mary Robinson. Morocco, Politics, 4/17/2000
• Forum calls for consolidation of human rights national institutions
  The 5th international forum of national institutions in charge of human rights promotion and protection held in Rabat April 13-15 has called in the Rabat Declaration for the consolidation of the role of national human rights institutions. Morocco, Politics, 4/17/2000
• Human rights high commissioner pleads for recognition of NGOs action
  The U.N High commissioner for human rights, Mary Robinson, has pleaded for the recognition of the efforts and action conducted by Moroccan non-governmental organizations to promote human rights. Morocco, Politics, 4/17/2000
• Conference scheduled in Paris concerning Palestinian refugees Regional-International, Politics, 4/17/2000
• Libya hosts non-governmental African, Arab conference Libya-International, Politics, 4/17/2000
• Israel releases today 13 Lebanese detains Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 4/17/2000
• Emir of Kuwait gets a message from Saudi King
  Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Jaber al-Ahmad al-Sabah on Saturday received a message from King Fahd Bin Abdul Aziz of Saudi Arabia concerning bilateral relations and recent political developments. Kuwait-Saudi Arabia, Politics, 4/17/2000
• King Abdullah to decide today on the parliament's request to change government
  It is expected that the Jordanian King Abdullah II will today settle the political crisis between the Jordanian parliament and the government. Jordan, Politics, 4/17/2000
• Palestinians want third phase redeployment outside final status talks
  The Palestinian National Authority said it refuses to merge the third stage of Israeli redeployment in the West Bank with the final status issues. Palestine-Israel, Politics, 4/17/2000
• Moroccan jurist appointed member of Arab journalists' commission
  The Arab Journalists Union has named Moroccan jurist and former Justice Minister Alami Machichi as a member of the union's permanent commission of liberties. Regional, Politics, 4/17/2000
• Israeli forces arrest two Syrians from the Golan
  The Israeli occupation forces broke into the Syrian town of Majdal Shams and detained two of its citizens, on the fall of the annual celebrations to be held by the Syrians of the Golan on the occasion of the Evacuation Day. The celebration will be held today Monday. Syria-Israel, Politics, 4/17/2000
• The UN and Israel's withdrawal from south Lebanon
  Diplomatic sources in New York stated on Sunday that Israel will inform the UN officially today of its decision to pull out unilaterally from south Lebanon, completely and unconditionally, before next July. Lebanon-Israel-UN, Politics, 4/17/2000
• Arab housing and town planning ministers to hold conference on Jerusalem
  The council of Arab housing and town planning ministers decided upon a proposal made by Morocco to hold an international conference on Al-Quds. Regional, Politics, 4/17/2000
• Mubarak to meet with Arafat tomorrow
  Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak will receive Palestinian President Yasser Arafat tomorrow, as Arafat arrives in Egypt on his way to the USA to meet with US President Bill Clinton. Arafat will inform President Mubarak about the latest developments in the Palestinian- Israeli peace talks. Egypt-Palestine, Politics, 4/17/2000
• Moroccan minister in Washington for WB-IMF meeting and talks with US officials
  Moroccan Economy and Finance Minister Fathallah Oualalou is chairing the delegation taking part in the spring meetings of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund, which opened in Washington on Sunday. Morocco, Politics, 4/17/2000
• Report: Pentagon team to visit region for border demarcation between Israel and Lebanon
  The Israeli daily Jerusalem Post reported on Saturday that sources at the Israeli Defense Ministry as said a team of experts at the Pentagon are preparing to come to the region to start work on border demarcation between Israel and Lebanon. Lebanon-Israel, Politics, 4/17/2000
• Odai Hussein wins journalism and possible regional implications
  Odai Hussein, son of Iraqi President Saddam Hussein and editor-in-chief of Babel newspaper won the post of chief of the Iraqi reporters after the Iraqi reporters refused to run against him while they were satisfied to compete for lower positions and being members of the board of directors. Iraq-Regional, Politics, 4/17/2000
• Sudanese - Egyptian meeting in coming May
  The meeting of the technical committee between Egypt and Sudan in which the Egyptian side will be headed by Mostafa El-Feki, the assistant foreign minister for Arab affairs, will be held in Khartoum at the beginning of May. Egypt-Sudan, Politics, 4/17/2000
• Casablanca hosts meeting of Mediterranean audio-visual standing conference
  The 7th Mediterranean Standing Audio-Visual Conference will meet in Casablanca this April 26-29 to study partnership projects between the region's audio-visual organizations. Regional-Morocco, Politics, 4/17/2000
• Morocco bans two weeklies over interview with separatist leader
  The latest issues of Moroccan weeklies "Essahifa" and "Le Journal," printed abroad, were banned from entering Morocco for containing an interview with the leader of the separatist Polisario. Morocco, Politics, 4/17/2000

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